Through his Anniston ophthalmologist practice, Dr Abdul Kazi notices the health problems facing the uninsured residents living in Calhoun County, U.S.

The county’s uninsured rate is higher than average for the state of Alabama, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. It’s one of the reasons Kazi said he felt that he and his fellow physicians at the Islam Center needed to work together to bring a free clinic to the community.

The other reason, he said, was his faith.

“This is the Lord’s commandment to all of us. And at the Islam Center community, we wanted to give back,” he told the Anniston Star. “It is very fulfilling to serve people who need it.”

Kazi, along with others, founded the Salam Free Clinic at the Anniston Islam Center and saw their first patients earlier this month. The clinic is for uninsured Calhoun County residents who do not have access to health screenings. Patients can come in for free screenings for diabetes, high cholesterol and other conditions.